Donald Trump and Zohran Mamdani to have first face-to-face meeting at the White House

"Donald Trump and Zohran Mamdani, the New York City mayor-elect, are scheduled to meet at the White House this afternoon in an encounter between two ideologically opposed leaders with conflicting visions for the nation's largest city. The meeting marks the first face-to-face discussion between the combative Republican president and the defiant democratic socialist who secured a commanding electoral victory last month with over 50% of the vote."

"The meeting comes after months of back and forth, with Trump only recently having called Mamdani a communist lunatic while the incoming mayor has pledged to Trump-proof New York City and accused the administration of pursuing policies designed to punish the metropolis. For Mamdani, a leftwing state assemblymember until his shock primary victory, the sit-down presents an early test of his ability to negotiate with a president who controls vast federal resources that the city depends upon."

"Mamdani's team made the first move in reaching out for a meeting, all while Trump earlier threatened to withhold federal funding from New York if Mamdani took office, though he has since suggested a more conciliatory posture, telling Fox News: I'm so torn, because I would like to see the new mayor do well, because I love New York. The administration has deployed multiple pressure tactics ahead of the meeting."

President Trump will meet New York mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani at the White House, marking their first face-to-face encounter. The two leaders hold sharply opposed visions for the city, with Mamdani winning over 50% of the vote and identified as a defiant democratic socialist. Trump recently called Mamdani a communist lunatic while Mamdani vowed to Trump-proof New York City and accused the administration of pursuing punitive policies. Trump previously threatened to withhold federal funding but has used a more conciliatory public line. Federal authorities signaled possible escalations in immigration enforcement, and some Republicans suggested probing Mamdani's citizenship. Mamdani's team coordinated with state and federal Democratic leaders and civil-rights figures while preparing for the meeting.

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